What Are Casting Directors Looking For?

I think the problem with actors in terms of success in auditions is that their goal is wrong. You want to show how good an actor you are. No.I’m a casting director. Take it from me, I’ve seen over 120,000 auditions. I’ve seen people come in and what they want to show is how well they act. That’s not what I’m looking for.I’m looking for a great, unique, compelling, individual version of the character. Because that’s my job, that’s my journey.What am I looking for? I’m not looking for a great actor, I’m looking for the character. I’m looking for the person with the right combination of ability and looks and skill and individuality that creates a character that I want to put up on screen. A character that I can cast. An actor whose version of the character I can champion to the director and producer and say ‘You’ve got to give this actor a chance because they will be great in the role’.But it all comes down to your approach, your thinking, your goal. Your goal at the moment is to be good. Be special. Be individual.